Two-phase separator device for removing condensate or particulate from a gas stream

ABSTRACT

This disclosure provides a two-phase separator device for separating condensate or particulate from a gas stream. In some implementations, the separator device removes water from air and may operate under micro-gravity conditions. The gas stream flows through the two-phase separator device and passes through a rotatable vane assembly along a flow path without being redirected in another flow path. Condensate or particulate in the gas stream is impacted by a plurality of vanes of the rotatable vane assembly, and the condensate is captured by features formed within the plurality of vanes. The captured condensate is accelerated radially outwardly along the each of the plurality of vanes towards a sloped inner wall, and further moved along the sloped inner wall in a direction against the flow path of the gas stream during rotation.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Some embodiments of this invention were made with United StatesGovernment Support under Contract Nos. 80NSSC18P2185 and 80NSSC19C0208awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). TheU.S. Government has certain rights in this invention.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

An Application Data Sheet is filed concurrently with this specificationas part of the present application. Each application that the presentapplication claims benefit of or priority to as identified in theconcurrently filed Application Data Sheet is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety and for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to two-phase separator devices, apparatuses, andmethods for removing condensate or particulate from a gas stream, andmore particularly to inertial separator devices, apparatuses, andmethods for separating condensate or particulate at a low pressure dropand minimal power draw.

BACKGROUND

Humidity and temperature control are integral in many industrialapplications. An air stream may include a two-phase mixture of air andwater. Condensing heat exchangers are used in many industrialapplications in humidity and thermal control systems. Condensing heatexchangers cool the air stream by heat removal for temperature control.For humidity control, some condensing heat exchangers may remove waterdirectly from the air stream and some condensing heat exchangers mayremove water using a water separator downstream from the condensing heatexchanger. Often, condensing heat exchangers that remove water directlyfrom the air stream may do so by allowing condensed moisture to flow outof the condensing heat exchanger by gravity.

While air and water are ubiquitous on earth, air and water are extremelyvaluable in space and serve as key ingredients to life in space. Coolingair and removing excess moisture may be critical in space applications.That may allow cooled dry air to be circulated for breathing. However,humidity and temperature control may be more challenging in outer spacedue at least in part to operating in micro-gravity environments.

By way of an example, the International Space Station (ISS) may includea Common Cabin Air Assembly (CCAA) for humidity and temperature control.The Common Cabin Air Assembly may include a cabin heat exchanger forcooling an air stream, where the air stream may be cooled by circulatingcooled water to remove excess heat. Moreover, the cabin heat exchangermay condense moisture in the air stream by using water-cooled finsurfaces over which the moisture condenses. From there, the condensedmoisture and air collects into a “slurper,” where the slurper removesthe condensed moisture from the air stream. FIG. 1A shows a schematicillustration of a Common Cabin Air Assembly 100 including water-cooledfins 102, air fins 104, and a slurper bar (“slurper”) 106. The slurperbar 106 draws air and the condensed moisture through slurper holes 108.The slurper bar 106 takes in a two-phase mixture of water and air thatis then separated by a rotary separator or fan separator (not shown).The rotary separator removes water from the two-phase mixture so thatcooled dry air may be circulated. FIG. 1B shows a schematic blockdiagram of a Common Cabin Air Assembly 100 including a slurper 106 and awater separator 110. As shown in FIG. 1B, air enters the Common CabinAir Assembly 100 and is cooled by a humidity control heat exchanger (HX)112, and a two-phase mixture of air and water is drawn through a slurper106. Water is removed by a water separator or rotary separator 110located downstream from the slurper 106.

Operation of the slurper 106 depends upon a liquid film wetting the heatexchanger 112 and slurper 106, where operation of the slurper 106requires a hydrophilic surface. However, the presence of siloxanesand/or other chemical agents have degraded the hydrophilic surface ofthe heat exchanger 112 and the slurper 106, converting a hydrophiliccoating to behave more hydrophobically. This causes slugs of water topass by the slurper 106 rather than through the slurper 106, therebygoing places where water is not desired. Chemical degradation of theslurper 106 occurs by surface modification of the hydrophilic surfaceinto a hydrophobic surface via siloxanes and/or other chemical agents,resulting in inadequate performance. Ultimately, the operation of theslurper 106 and the Common Cabin Air Assembly 100 is compromised.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods and devices of this disclosure each have severalinnovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for thedesirable attributes disclosed herein.

One innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosurecan be implemented in a two-phase separator device. The device includesa housing having an inlet for receiving a two-phase mixture, where thetwo-phase mixture includes a gas stream and condensate or particulate,and a rotatable vane assembly within the housing and along a flow pathof the gas stream. The rotatable vane assembly includes a rotatable drumconfigured to rotate about an axis of rotation along an axial directionof the two-phase separator device, a plurality of vanes arranged aboutthe axis of rotation and extending radially outwardly from the axis ofrotation to the rotatable drum, where the plurality of vanes areconnected to the rotatable drum at an inner wall that is sloped.

In some implementations, the rotatable vane assembly further comprises:a motor configured to drive rotation of the rotatable drum about theaxis of rotation. In some implementations, the motor is configured todrive rotation of the rotatable drum at a rotational velocity to captureall or a substantial portion of the condensate or particulate from thegas stream without redirecting the gas stream along another flow path.In some implementations, the motor is configured to drive rotation ofthe rotatable drum at a rotational velocity to cause acceleration of thecaptured condensate or particulate radially outwardly towards the innerwall and along the inner wall by centrifugal force. In someimplementations, the plurality of vanes are shaped so that a rotationalmomentum caused by the rotation of the rotatable drum transfers to thegas stream as axial momentum. In some implementations, an inner edge ofeach of the plurality of vanes is connected to a central hub and anouter edge of each of the plurality of vanes is connected to the innerwall of the rotatable drum. In some implementations, the plurality ofvanes, the central hub, and the rotatable drum of the rotatable vaneassembly are integrated together to form a single unified body. In someimplementations, a plurality of features are defined in at least a majorsurface of each of the plurality of vanes, the plurality of featuresconfigured to capture condensate or particulate from the gas stream. Insome implementations, the plurality of features are configured to limitsplashing or atomizing of the condensate or particulate when the gasstream passes through the two-phase separator device. In someimplementations, a channel is defined in the rotatable drum, the channelbeing upstream and adjacent to an upstream lip of the rotatable drum. Insome implementations, the device further includes a pitot pumppositioned upstream of the upstream lip of the rotatable drum and havingan opening at least partially within the channel, where the pitot pumpis configured to collect the condensate or particulate accumulated inthe channel of the rotatable drum, where the particulate is contained inliquid droplets using a particulate scrubber. In some implementations,the plurality of vanes are arranged as straight vanes. In someimplementations, the plurality of vanes are arranged as helical vanes.In some implementations, the inner wall of the rotatable drum is slopedto promote motion of captured condensate or particulate against the flowpath of the gas stream during rotation of the rotatable drum. In someimplementations, the housing is stationary during rotation of therotatable drum and surrounds the rotatable vane assembly, the rotatablevane assembly being retained within the housing of the two-phaseseparator device.

Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in thisdisclosure can be implemented in a method of separating condensate orparticulate from a gas stream. The method includes receiving a two-phasemixture of a gas stream and condensate or particulate through an inletof a housing of a two-phase separator device, rotating a rotatable vaneassembly of the two-phase separator device, where the rotatable vaneassembly comprises a plurality of vanes, and flowing the gas streamthrough the rotatable vane assembly in an axial direction while therotatable vane assembly is rotating, wherein condensate or particulateof the gas stream is captured by and accelerated radially outwardlyalong one or more of the plurality of vanes without redirecting a flowpath of the gas stream.

In some implementations, the method further includes collecting thecaptured condensate or particulate by a pitot pump positioned adjacentto an upper lip of a rotatable drum of the rotatable vane assembly,where the particulate is contained in liquid droplets using aparticulate scrubber. In some implementations, rotating the rotatablevane assembly includes rotating the plurality of vanes at a rotationalvelocity to cause the captured condensate or particulate to moveradially outwardly along each of the plurality of vanes and along asloped inner wall of the rotatable drum in a direction against the flowpath of the gas stream. In some implementations, each of the pluralityof vanes comprises a plurality of features defined in at least one majorsurface of the vane, the plurality of features configured to capturecondensate or particulate from the gas stream. In some implementations,rotating the rotatable vane assembly includes rotating the plurality ofvanes to cause a rotational momentum of the rotatable vane assembly totransfer to the gas stream as axial momentum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a schematic illustration of a Common Cabin Air Assemblyincluding water-cooled fin surfaces and a slurper.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic block diagram of a Common Cabin Air Assemblyincluding a slurper and a water separator.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a condensate separator showing waterseparation and air flow through the condensate separator according tosome implementations.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a cross-sectional schematicillustration of a housing implemented in a two-phase separator devicefor separating condensate or particulate from a gas stream according tosome implementations.

FIG. 3B shows a bottom perspective view of a schematic illustration ofthe housing in FIG. 3A according to some implementations.

FIG. 3C shows a side view of a cross-sectional schematic illustration ofa motor mounted to a motor plate in the housing in FIG. 3A according tosome implementations.

FIG. 3D shows a perspective view of a cross-sectional schematicillustration of a rotatable vane assembly disposed in the housing inFIG. 3A according to some implementations.

FIG. 4A shows a schematic illustration of an example rotatable vaneassembly including a plurality of vanes arranged in a straight designaccording to some implementations.

FIG. 4B shows a schematic illustration of an example rotatable vaneassembly including a plurality of vanes arranged in a helical designaccording to some implementations.

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a schematic illustration of anexample condensate separator according to some implementations.

FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of a cross-sectional schematicillustration of the condensate separator of FIG. 5A according to someimplementations.

FIG. 5C shows a perspective view of a cross-sectional schematicillustration of the condensate separator of FIG. 5A including a motorthat is an external-rotor motor according to some implementations.

FIG. 5D shows a perspective view of a cross-sectional schematicillustration of the condensate separator of FIG. 5A including a motorthat is a torque-ring motor according to some implementations.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an example method of separating condensatefrom a gas stream according to some implementations.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a two-phase separator device forseparating condensate or particulate from a gas stream. The two-phaseseparator device may also be referred to as a condensate separator whenseparating condensate or as a particulate separator when separatingparticulate. However, it will be understood that reference to acondensate separator may be used interchangeably with a two-phaseseparator device. The two-phase separator device receives a two-phasemixture of gas (e.g., air) and liquid (e.g., water) or solid (e.g.,dust), and separates the liquid or solid from the gas with minimalpressure drop and power draw. A gas stream flows through the two-phaseseparator device along an axial flow path without being redirected inanother flow path. The two-phase separator device includes a rotatablevane assembly through which the gas stream passes through, where therotatable vane assembly is configured to rotate within a stationaryhousing. The two-phase separator device captures condensate orparticulate by impact with one or more vanes with minimal splashing oratomizing of the condensate or particulate. In some implementations, thecondensate or particulate is captured by features formed within the oneor more vanes. The captured condensate or particulate is acceleratedradially outwardly and in a direction against the flow path of the gasstream, where the captured condensate or particulate can be collected bya pickup device (e.g., pitot pump) located adjacent to a lip of therotatable drum. It will be understood that while the two-phase separatordevice may serve to separate condensate or particulate, someimplementations of the two-phase separator device may serve to separatecondensate only.

In some implementations, a condensate separator of the presentdisclosure serves to replace a water separator and a slurper. As shownin FIG. 1B, the Common Cabin Air Assembly 100 includes: (i) a slurper106 for drawing a two-phase mixture of air and water to a waterseparator 110, and (ii) a water separator 110 that separates air andwater by rotary vanes. However, the condensate separator of the presentdisclosure replaces both the slurper 106 and the water separator 110, orat least similar components, in the Common Cabin Air Assembly 100. Thecondensate separator may be implemented in an assembly locateddownstream from a condensing heat exchanger for temperature and humiditycontrol.

Though certain implementations of the two-phase separation device of thepresent disclosure are discussed in the context of space applicationsand/or micro-gravity environments, it will be understood that thetwo-phase separator device of the present disclosure may be implementedin a variety of applications. This can include but is not limited toterrestrial applications in humidification/dehumidification, evaporativecooling, oil and gas de-liquidification, and other environmental controlmarkets. Further applications include using the two-phase separationdevice as a combined blower and separator, refrigeration applications,liquid-liquid separation, multi-phase separation, electronic cooling,and capture device for suspended matter.

Though aspects of the present disclosure may be discussed in the contextof a water separator for separating water from an air stream, it will beunderstood that the present disclosure is not limited to suchimplementations. Rather, it will be understood that the presentdisclosure generally relates to liquid/condensate separation from a gasstream, or solid/particulate separation from a gas stream, with waterseparation from an air stream being an example.

Conventional centrifugal pumps may be utilized for inertial separationof liquid and gas through centrifugal action, and specifically forinertial separation of water and air through centrifugal action. Ashaft-driven impeller rotates and moves the flow of water and air from acentral location to an outer location. By way of an example, inertia maydrive the heavier water against a wall for collection, allowing thelighter air to be directed elsewhere. Conventional centrifugal pumps forseparating water and air receive a high volume fraction of water in theair stream, where at least about 30% of volume flow in a conventionalcentrifugal pump is water. In other words, conventional centrifugalpumps take in a lot of water loading. Conventional centrifugal pumpsreceive an air flow and redirect the flow of water and air towards theoutside. Put another way, the flow of water and air is redirected from acentral location to an outer location so that all of the water and airis pushed to the outer location by centrifugal force. This imposes asignificant pressure drop on the flow of the air stream through thecentrifugal pump.

A condensate separator of the present disclosure includes a rotatablevane assembly with a rotatable drum and a plurality of vanes. Therotatable drum and the plurality of vanes are mechanically coupled so asto rotate about an axis of rotation in tandem. The plurality of vanescapture or entrain droplets of water without atomizing them. The flowpath of the air stream through the condensate separator is directedalong an axial direction that is parallel to the axis of rotation.Rather than accelerating or diverting both air and water outwards, thecondensate separator captures and accelerates water outwards whilecausing air to flow directly through without being redirected outwards.This imposes a negligible pressure drop on the flow of the air streamthrough the condensate separator.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a condensate separator 200 showingwater separation and air flow through the condensate separator 200according to some implementations. The condensate separator 200 may beconfigured to receive an air stream 202 from a condensing heat exchanger204 located upstream of the condensate separator 200. The air stream 202includes a two-phase mixture of air 212 and water 222. As shown in FIG.2 , the condensate separator 200 includes a rotatable drum 206 thatrotates about an axis of rotation 208 parallel to the direction of flow.Inertia causes water 22 to move radially outwards towards an outer edgeof the rotatable drum 206 for collection while air 212 continues to passthrough the condensate separator 200 along the direction of flow. Theair 212 exits the condensate separator 200 providing cooler,dehumidified air, and the water 222 may be collected from an outer edgeof the rotatable drum 206. It will be understood that the schematicdiagram of the condensate separator 200 in FIG. 2 is intended to be aconceptual illustration of air flow through the condensate separator 200and water capture at the outer edge of the rotatable drum 206.Accordingly, the schematic diagram of the condensate separator 200 inFIG. 2 is not intended to be illustrative of the mechanical componentsand operations of the condensate separator 200.

Contrary to conventional centrifugal pumps, the condensate separator ofthe present disclosure receives a low volume fraction of water in theair stream, where the volume flow of water is equal to or less thanabout 5%. By way of an example, the condensate separator of the presentdisclosure may remove between 10 mL per minute to 50 mL per minute ofwater for about every 200 to 800 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of airflow. In addition, the condensate separator of the present disclosurefacilitates passage of air flow in an axial direction through thecondensate separator without redirecting a flow path of the air flow.This allows the condensate separator to operate with a significantly lowpressure drop.

The gas stream flows through a rotatable vane assembly of the condensateseparator with minimal pressure drop and minimal power draw. As usedherein, minimal pressure drop may refer to values equal to or less thanabout 1 inch H₂O during operation for every 200-800 cubic feet perminute of gas flow, and minimal power draw may refer to values equal toor less than about 50 W during operation. Hydraulic power is correlatedwith pressure drop, where hydraulic power is directly proportional tovolumetric flow and pressure drop. Reducing pressure drop through thecondensate separator reduces hydraulic power.

Generally, a two-phase separator device of the present disclosure isconfigured to separate condensate or particulate from a gas stream. Arotatable vane assembly may be retained in a housing, where therotatable vane assembly includes a plurality of vanes. The plurality ofvanes may have features (e.g., grooves) formed therein to capturecondensate or particulate. An example two-phase separator device isshown in FIGS. 3A-3D, where different views of a housing of thetwo-phase separator device are shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, and a perspectiveview of the housing and rotatable vane assembly of the two-phaseseparator device is shown in FIG. 3D. Examples of rotatable vaneassemblies are shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, and additional examples oftwo-phase separator devices are shown in FIGS. 5A-5D.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a cross-sectional schematicillustration of a housing 310 implemented in a two-phase separatordevice for separating condensate or particulate from a gas streamaccording to some implementations. The gas stream may flow through thehousing 310, entering through an inlet (top) of the housing and exitingthrough an outlet (bottom) of the housing 310. As used herein, termssuch as “under,” “over,” “below,” “above,” “bottom,” “top,” “lower,” and“upper” are relative terms and may be used for ease of describing thefigures, and may be used to indicate relative positions to theorientation of the figure on a properly oriented page. In someimplementations, terms such as “upper,” “top,” and “front” may refer topositions that are upstream and terms such as “lower,” “bottom,” and“back” may refer to positions that are downstream. The housing 310includes a physical structure and barrier defining an inner volumethrough which the gas stream flows through. The housing 310 may surroundor otherwise form an outer barrier around a rotatable vane assembly asshown in FIG. 3D, where the rotatable vane assembly is retained withinthe housing 310. As used herein, the housing 310 may also be referred toas a casing, outer barrier, outer frame, or drum.

In some implementations, the housing 310 is cylindrical. In someimplementations, the housing may be stationary during operation. Asshown in FIG. 3A, the housing may include an outer drum 320 and an innerdrum 330, where the outer drum 320 defines an outer wall of the housingand the inner drum 330 defines an inner wall of the housing. The innerdrum 330 may be positioned within the outer drum 320. In someimplementations, the inner drum 330 is configured to rotate whereas theouter drum 320 is configured to remain stationary when the inner drum330 is rotating. The outer drum 320 may have a passage or groove formedinto a top edge for a top bearing 322. A retaining ring 332 is providedin a slot formed in the inner drum 330, where the retaining ring 332rests on the top bearing 322. That way, the inner drum 330 can rest onthe outer drum 320. The inner drum 330 may be part of a rotatable vaneassembly or may be configured to rotate with a rotatable vane assembly.

FIG. 3B shows a bottom perspective view of a schematic illustration ofthe housing 310 in FIG. 3A according to some implementations. The outerdrum 320 may be mounted to a motor plate 312 at the bottom of thehousing 310, and the inner drum 330 may be mounted to a drum plate 314also at the bottom of the housing 310. The drum plate 314 may bepositioned above the motor plate 312. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, a lowerbearing 316 is disposed between the drum plate 314 and the motor plate312, where the drum plate 314 is fitted to the lower bearing 316, andwhere the lower bearing 316 serves as a stabilization point for therotating inner drum 330. In some implementations, the outer drum 320,inner drum 330, motor plate 312, and drum plate 314 may include ametallic material such as aluminum or aluminum alloy.

FIG. 3C shows a side view of a cross-sectional schematic illustration ofa motor 340 mounted to the motor plate 312 in the housing 310 in FIG. 3Aaccording to some implementations. The motor 340 is mounted to the motorplate 312 and configured to cause rotation of the inner drum 330. Insome implementations, a drive shaft 342 of the motor 340 may be fittedto a matching slot in the drum plate 314. By way of an example, a motor340 such as an Electrocraft DP680 series brush motor may be mounted tothe motor plate 312 of the outer drum 320. The electromotive forceprovided by the motor 340 drives rotation of the inner drum 330 and/orrotational vane assembly of the two-phase separator device.

The two-phase separator device is able to separate condensate orparticulate from a gas stream at a low power draw. Typically,conventional centrifugal pumps or other two-phase separator devicesoperate at a significantly higher power draw than the two-phaseseparator device of the present disclosure. For example, a conventionalcentrifugal pump may operate at a power draw on the order of thousandsof watts (e.g., at least 1000 W). Rotational speeds of conventionalcentrifugal pumps during operation may be on the order of thousands ofrpm (e.g., at least 5000 rpm). It will be understood that such powerdraws and rotational speeds will vary depending on the pump. However,the two-phase separator device of the present disclosure may operate ata power draw equal to or less than about 50 W, between about 5 W andabout 50 W, or between about 10 W and about 40 W. Rotational speeds ofthe two-phase separator device of the present disclosure may be betweenabout 300 rpm and about 1500 rpm, or between about 500 rpm and about1200 rpm. Thus, the two-phase separator device can provide significantpower savings.

FIG. 3D shows a perspective view of a cross-sectional schematicillustration of a rotatable vane assembly 350 disposed in the housing310 in FIG. 3A according to some implementations. The housing 310 andthe rotatable vane assembly 350 may be part of a two-phase separatordevice 300. The rotatable vane assembly 350 is attached, mounted,retained, mechanically coupled, or connected to an inner wall 318 of thehousing 310. The rotatable vane assembly 350 includes a rotatable drumor rotatable barrier 360, where the rotatable drum 360 is disposed alongthe inner wall 318 of the housing 310. An outer wall 362 of therotatable drum 360 may attach, mount, retain, mechanically couple, orconnect to the inner wall 318 of the housing 310, and an inner wall 364of the rotatable drum 360 may be faced inwardly towards a center of thetwo-phase separator device 300. The inner wall 364 of the rotatable drum360 may be sloped. The rotatable vane assembly 350 includes a pluralityof vanes 352 arranged about an axis of rotation that is along the axialdirection of the two-phase separator device 300, where the rotatabledrum 360 rotates about the axis of rotation. Each of the plurality ofvanes 352 radially extends from the axis of rotation to attach,mechanically couple, or otherwise connect to the rotatable drum 360 atthe inner wall 364 of the rotatable drum 360. In some implementations,each of the plurality of vanes 352 may be attached, mechanicallycoupled, or otherwise connected to a central hub 370 or point positionedabout the axis of rotation. In some implementations, the two-phaseseparator device 300 further includes a motor configured to driverotation of the rotatable drum 360 and/or the plurality of vanes 352about the axis of rotation. In some implementations, the central hub 370may enclose or house a motor for driving rotation of the rotatable drum360 and/or the plurality of vanes 352 about the axis of rotation.

In some implementations, the components of the rotatable vane assembly350 may be integrated together. For example, the plurality of vanes 352may be integrated with the rotatable drum 360, or the plurality of vanes352 may be integrated with the rotatable drum 360 and the central hub370. Such integration may involve integration as a single unified body.The components may be made from the same block of material. In someimplementations, each of the plurality of vanes 352, central hub 370,and rotatable drum 360 may include a metallic material such as analuminum alloy. In some implementations, the components of the rotatablevane assembly 350 may be manufactured by 3-D printing.

In some implementations, the components of the rotatable vane assembly350 may be assembled as separate component parts that are broughttogether after fabrication. For example, the plurality of vanes 352 maybe fabricated as separate component parts and attached to the rotatabledrum 360, or the plurality of vanes 352 may be fabricated as separatecomponent parts and attached to the rotatable drum 360 and the centralhub 370. Attachment may occur, for example, by welding, pressing,fusing, and other techniques known in the art.

In some implementations, the rotatable drum 360 may rotate in tandemwith the plurality of vanes 352. This may occur where the rotatable drum360 and the plurality of vanes 352 are integrated together. In someimplementations, the rotatable drum 360 may rotate independently of theplurality of vanes 352. For example, the rotatable drum 360 may rotateat a different speed and/or direction than the plurality of vanes 352.This may occur where the rotatable drum 360 is a separate component fromthe plurality of vanes 352.

The motor may provide electromotive force to cause the plurality ofvanes 352 to rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction aboutthe axis of rotation. In other words, the motor may transmit torque to ashaft that causes the plurality of vanes 352 to rotate about the axis ofrotation. An inner edge of each vane 352 may be connected or attached tothe central hub 370 and an outer edge of each vane 352 may be connectedor attached to the rotatable drum 360.

In some implementations, the geometry and number of vanes 352 may beoptimized for capturing or entraining condensate or particulate in thegas stream with minimal pressure drop. In some implementations, thegeometry of the vanes 352 may have a straight design as shown in FIGS.3D and 4A, or may have a helical design as shown in FIG. 4B. In someimplementations, the inner edge of each vane 352 may have an axiallength that is less than an axial length of the outer edge of each vane352. In some implementations, the axial length of the inner edge may bebetween about 0.5 inches and 4 inches, or between about 1 inch and about3 inches. In some implementations, the axial length of the outer edgemay be between about 1.5 inches and about 8 inches, or between about 2inches and about 6 inches. In some implementations, the axial length ofeach vane 352 may taper from the outer edge to the inner edge. In someimplementations, the plurality of vanes 352 may include between about 2and 10 vanes 352, such as about two, three, four, five, six, or sevenvanes 352.

Each of the vanes 352 may have major surfaces and minor surfaces, wheremajor surfaces occupy significantly greater surface area than minorsurfaces of each vane 352. In some implementations, the major surfacesare defined by the axial length and a radial length of the vanes 352,and the minor surfaces are defined by a lateral width and the radiallength of the vanes 352. Generally speaking, the major surfaces of thevanes 352 make impact with droplets of condensate or particulate in agas stream as the plurality of vanes 352 are rotated.

A plurality of features 354 may be formed or otherwise defined in atleast one of the major surfaces of each of the plurality of vanes 352.Such features 354 may serve to promote capture of the condensate orparticulate with minimal splashing or atomizing of the condensate orparticulate. As used herein, the features 354 defined in a major surfaceof each vane 352 may also be referred to as trenches, divots, slots,inserts, channels, grooves, indentations, and the like. Generally, theplurality of features 354 are non-planar features defined in the vanesthat arrest the liquid or solid without atomizing, and that provide apathway for the liquid or solid to be drained away after being arrested.In some implementations, the plurality of features 354 may extendradially from the inner edge of the vane to the outer edge of the vane352. For example, the plurality of features 354 may be arranged as rowsof grooves. The rows of grooves may span across the radial length ofeach of the vanes 352. In some implementations, the plurality offeatures 354 may have a spiral shape. In some implementations, theplurality of features 354 may have a zig zag shape. In someimplementations, the plurality of features 354 may be a defined as aseries of divots for capturing the condensate or particulate, where theseries of divots may transport the condensate or particulate to a poroussubstrate.

The number, sizing, and geometry of the features 354 may be optimizedfor capturing or entraining condensate or particulate without atomizingthe condensate or particulate. For example, the features 354 may bedesigned to trap droplets of condensate instead of striking the dropletsin a manner that would cause them to splash around or disperse intosmaller beads. Thus, upon impact with the condensate, the features 354limit splash behavior that would otherwise make it difficult to capture,accelerate, and collect the condensate. The features 354 provide ananti-splash guard to prevent loss of fluid upon impact with thecondensate.

Condensate droplet size may vary, and the dimensions of the features maydepend on the expected condensate droplet size in the gas stream. Insome implementations, droplets of condensate may have a diameter betweenabout 0.3 mm and about 5 mm, between about 0.5 mm and about 4 mm, orbetween about 0.8 mm and about 3 mm. The height and depth of thefeatures 354 may be sized accordingly. For example, the height of eachof the features 354 (e.g., grooves) may be between about 0.5 mm andabout 10 mm, between about 1 mm and about 8 mm, or between about 2 mmand about 5 mm. The depth of each of the features 354 may be betweenabout 0.5 mm and about 10 mm, between about 1 mm and about 8 mm, orbetween about 2 mm and about 5 mm. A longitudinal length of each of thefeatures 354 may span the radial length of the vanes 352.

Each of the features 354 may have a suitable shape optimized forcapturing or entraining condensate or particulate. In someimplementations, walls of the grooves may be curved or circular inshape. In some implementations, walls of the grooves may be flat orrectangular in shape.

In some implementations, the features 354 may be sloped from the inneredge to the outer edge of each vane 352 to promote upward motion ofcaptured droplets of condensate along the radial length of the vane 352.For example, as each of the vanes 352 may be tapered from the outer edgeto the inner edge, the features 354 of a particular vane 352 may beparallel or substantially parallel to each other as well as to a topslope of the particular vane 352. Captured condensate or particulateaccelerate radially outwardly towards the outer edge and in an upwarddirection against the flow path of the gas stream. The upward directionmay be against the gravity vector in the two-phase separator device 300.The captured condensate accelerates radially outwardly and in an upwarddirection by centrifugal force during rotation of the plurality of vanes352.

Not only can the capture of condensate with minimal splashing depend onthe features 354 formed in the vanes 352, but the capture of condensatewith minimal splashing can also depend on the rotational velocity of theplurality of vanes 352. The rotational velocity can be sufficiently slowto limit splashing but sufficiently fast to optimize condensate captureefficiency. For example, the rotational velocity of the plurality ofvanes 352 may be between about 300 rpm and about 1500 rpm, between about500 rpm and about 1200 rpm, or between about 750 rpm and about 1000 rpm.At such rotational velocities, all or a substantial portion of thecondensate may be captured by the two-phase separator device 300. Asubstantial portion of the condensate may constitute capture efficiencyequal to or greater than about 90% or equal to or greater than about95%.

The rotational velocity of the plurality of vanes 352 providessufficient centrifugal force to accelerate the captured condensate orparticulate to be drained away towards a pickup device. Furthermore, thecaptured condensate or particulate is accelerated radially outwardly andin an upward/upstream direction along the inner wall 364 of therotatable drum 360. The inner wall 364 of the rotatable drum 360 issloped to promote acceleration of the captured condensate or particulatein an upward/upstream direction to an upstream lip 366 of the rotatabledrum 360. An upstream lip 366 is positioned towards the inlet of thehousing 310 and a downstream lip 368 is positioned towards the outlet ofthe housing 310. The sloped inner wall 364 provides a taper from adownstream lip 368 to the upstream lip 366 of the rotatable drum 360.Put another way, the inner wall 364 of the rotatable drum 360 may besloped at an acute angle with respect to horizontal plane. Thisfacilitates acceleration of captured condensate or particulate radiallyoutwardly from the features 354 of a vane 352 along a sloped inner wall364 to an upstream lip 366 of a rotatable drum 360 where the capturedcondensate or particulate can be collected.

The slope of the inner wall 364 may depend on the conditions ofoperation. Specifically, factors such as the presence of gravity ormicro-gravity conditions may affect the slope of the inner wall 364,where stronger gravitational forces may necessitate lower or morehorizontal slopes. Other factors such as rotational velocities mayaffect the slope of the inner wall 364, where slower rotationalvelocities may necessitate lower or more horizontal slopes. For example,where the rotational velocity is at least 500 rpm and where gravity isacting on the two-phase separator device 300, the slope of the innerwall 364 may have an acute angle of about 85 degrees or less. This canconstitute a slope of 12 inches per 7/8 inches in radial extension.Where the rotational velocity is about 300 rpm and where gravity isacting on the two-phase separator device 300, the slope of the innerwall 364 may have an acute angle of about 75 degrees or less. This canconstitute a slope of 4 inches per 7/8 inches in radial extension. Insome implementations, the slope of the inner wall 364 has an angle thatis less than about 90 degrees, such as between about 50 degrees andabout 89 degrees, between about 60 degrees and about 88 degrees, orbetween about 70 degrees and about 87 degrees. Having the inner wall 364sloped at a non-vertical acute angle facilitates motion of the capturedcondensate or particulate along the inner wall 364 during operation ofthe two-phase separator device 300 against the flow path of the gasstream. The motion is against the gravity vector in some instances.

As the captured condensate is accelerated radially outwardly and towardsthe upstream lip 366 of the rotatable drum 360, the captured condensateor particulate may accumulate at a location on the upstream lip 366 ofthe rotatable drum 360 or adjacent to the upstream lip 366 of therotatable drum 360. In some implementations, the captured condensate orparticulate may form a ring of condensate or particulate at the upstreamlip 366 or adjacent to the upstream lip 366 of the rotatable drum 360.In some implementations, a channel 380 is formed or defined in thehousing 310 or in the rotatable drum 360 in a location adjacent to theupstream lip 366 of the rotatable drum 360. The ring of condensate orparticulate may accumulate in the channel 380. As used herein, thechannel 380 may also be referred to as a slot, trench, feature,indentation, groove, or pitot groove. The channel 380 provides a volumefor the transient storage of captured condensate as the rotatable drum360 rotates.

In some implementations, the captured condensate or particulate may beaccelerated radially outwardly to a channel 380 formed in the housing310, such as the inner wall 318 of the housing 310, that is adjacent tothe upstream lip 366 of the rotatable drum 360. Where the channel 380 isformed in the inner wall 318 of the housing 310, it will be understoodthat the inner wall 318 of the housing 310 rotates with the rotatabledrum 360 and the outer wall 328 of the housing 310 remains stationary.Such a channel 380 is shown in FIG. 3D. In some implementations, thecaptured condensate or particulate may be accelerated radially outwardlyto a channel formed in the rotatable drum 360 that is adjacent to theupstream lip 366 of the rotatable drum 360. Such a channel is shown inFIGS. 5A-5D. As the plurality of vanes 352 rotate during operation,condensate or particulate is captured by the features 354 to permit exitof the condensate or particulate from the vanes 352. Once the condensateor particulate moves from the vanes 352, the condensate or particulateis accelerated radially outwardly along the sloped inner wall 364towards the upstream lip 366 of the rotatable drum 360, and thenaccelerated from the upstream lip 366 of the rotatable drum 360 to thechannel 380 adjacent to the upstream lip 366 of the rotatable drum 360.However, it will be understood that the captured condensate orparticulate may be accumulated at the upstream lip 366 of the rotatabledrum 360 without moving radially outwardly further.

Captured condensate at the upstream lip 366 of the rotatable drum 360and/or in the channel 380 adjacent to the upstream lip 366 of therotatable drum 360 may be collected by a collecting device (not shown)such as a pitot pump or tube. It will be understood that any pickup tubeor pickup device can be used in place of the pitot pump or tube.Examples of a pitot pump positioned in a channel 380 adjacent to anupstream lip 366 of a rotatable drum 360 are shown in FIGS. 5A-5D. Thepitot pump may be disposed above the upstream lip 366 of the rotatabledrum 360 for receiving and collecting the captured condensate, where thecaptured condensate can be moved by stagnation pressure. In someimplementations, the pitot pump may be disposed above the upstream lip366 of the rotatable drum 360 and at least partially within the channel380 adjacent to the upstream lip 366, where the channel 380 is definedin the housing 310 or defined in the rotatable drum 360.

The pitot pump may be stationary during operation of the two-phaseseparator device 300. Specifically, the pitot pump is stationary whilethe rotatable drum 360 is rotating. When the captured condensate isaccumulated at the upstream lip 366 or in the channel 380, the pitotpump is configured to receive captured condensate as the capturedcondensate rotates with the rotatable drum 360. The captured condensatemay form a ring of rotating condensate at the upstream lip 366 or in thechannel 380. The rotational velocity of the captured condensate impingesthe pitot pump so that the pitot pump receives the captured condensate.Sufficient pressure is created to force the captured condensate out ofthe upstream lip 366 or channel 380 and into the pitot pump. From there,the captured condensate is collected by the pitot pump. In someimplementations, particulate (e.g., dust) collection may be facilitatedby particulate scrubbers or wet collectors. In particulate scrubbers,liquid is dispersed into the gas stream as a spray, and liquid dropletsserve as principal collectors for the particulate. Consequently, theliquid droplets contain the particulate matter. From there, collectingparticulate may follow generally the same principles as collectingcondensate. Pressure at the pitot pump is produced as a function of therotating speed of the rotatable drum 360. Factors such as rotating speedand the design of the pitot pump, including its contact radius, tubeshape, flow area, and liquid depth, can affect performance of collectingthe captured condensate. In some implementations, a check valve at theopening of the pitot pump may be configured to prevent condensatebackflow and produce a backpressure to ensure that condensate level issufficient to cover an opening of the pitot pump.

As the pitot pump collects captured condensate, sufficient stagnationpressure is developed in the pitot pump to move the captured condensateto a collection system. In some implementations, the collection systemis a collection basin. The collected condensate may be processed by awater processing unit or water processing assembly positioned downstreamfrom the two-phase separator device 300. The water processing assemblymay be configured to treat the condensate. For example, the waterprocessing assembly may be configured to convert contaminated water intopotable water.

As the two-phase separator device 300 captures or collects condensatefrom the two-phase mixture, the gas stream from the two-phase mixturepasses through the two-phase separator device 300 along the axialdirection without being diverted. The two-phase separator device 300 maydrive rotation of the rotatable drum 360 at a rotational velocity thatcaptures all or substantially all of the condensate or particulate fromthe gas stream without redirecting the gas stream along another flowpath. The gas stream may exit the outlet of the housing 310. In someimplementations, the gas stream is an air stream that exits thetwo-phase separator device 300 as cooled, dehumidified air. The gasstream may pass through the two-phase separator device 300 with lowpressure drop or even negative pressure drop.

As discussed above, the plurality of vanes may be shaped according toany suitable design. FIG. 4A shows a schematic illustration of anexample rotatable vane assembly including a plurality of vanes arrangedin a straight design according to some implementations. FIG. 4B shows aschematic illustration of an example rotatable vane assembly including aplurality of vanes arranged in a helical design according to someimplementations. It will be understood that the plurality of vanes maybe arranged in other geometries for optimizing the performance of therotatable vane assembly.

The straight vane geometry as shown in FIG. 4A may provide low pressuredrop and high condensate capture performance. High condensate captureperformance generally occurs at high rotational velocities. The straightvane geometry may have flat or substantially flat surfaces. Though thestraight vane geometry typically involves major surfaces that arevertical or substantially vertical, it will be understood that thestraight vane geometry may include major surfaces that are angled.

The helical vane geometry as shown in FIG. 4B may provide moderatepressure drop and high condensate capture performance. High condensatecapture performance can occur at lower rotational velocities due in partto the vane geometry. The helical vane geometry may have curved orsubstantially curved surfaces. The helical vane geometry may be designedwith varying degrees of overlap between vanes.

The rotatable vane assembly may be able to achieve low pressure dropthrough the two-phase separator device. In some implementations, the lowpressure drop is equal to or less than about 1 inch H₂O for every200-800 cubic feet per minute of gas flow. However, in someimplementations, the rotatable vane assembly may be able to achievenegative pressure drop. In some implementations, a rotatable vaneassembly having a plurality of vanes in a helical geometry can achievesuch a negative pressure drop. With a negative pressure drop, therotatable vane assembly may also be able to function as a blower. As ablower, the plurality of vanes may be shaped such that rotationalmomentum caused by rotation of the rotatable vane assembly istransferred to a working fluid (e.g., gas stream) as axial momentum.Generally speaking, conventional centrifugal pumps or other inertialseparator devices do not function as a blower. In contrast, thetwo-phase separator device of the present disclosure may functionsimultaneously as both a condensate separator and as a blower for a gasstream. This means that blower and condensate separation functions canbe combined into a single device. With a negative pressure drop, the gasstream may be blown or pulled through the two-phase separator device.The two-phase separator device may provide motive force for deliveringthe gas stream coming from a condensing heat exchanger located upstreamof the two-phase separator device. That way, a separate blower unit maynot be necessary or may operate under reduced load for delivering thegas stream to the two-phase separator device. This can provide reducedpower consumption, reduced cost, and/or reduced complexity of assembly.

The two-phase separator device of the present disclosure may be able toachieve removal of a significant amount of condensate or particulatefrom a gas stream with minimal power draw and minimal pressure drop. Thetwo-phase separator device facilitates gas flow through the two-phaseseparator device axially without diverting the gas flow in anotherdirection. The two-phase separator device may capture condensate orparticulate without atomizing or dispersing the condensate orparticulate. The captured condensate or particulate may be acceleratedradially outwardly and in a motion against the flow of the gas stream bycentrifugal force. The two-phase separator device may be able to operatein micro-gravity conditions, meaning that the two-phase separator devicecan effectively separate condensate or particulate from gas even inmicro-gravity conditions. The two-phase separator device may be compactand occupy a low volume.

Table 1 shows specifications of an example two-phase separator device interms of condensate capture efficiency, power draw, pressure drop, andvolume.

TABLE 1 Parameter Specification Solution Condensate Removal of at leastInertial separation using the Capture 82.1 g/min of condensate two-phaseseparator device Efficiency Power Draw Power consumption of Reduced RPMand motor less than about 44 W needs via the two-phase separator devicePressure Induced pressure drop of Low speed and large outlet Drop 1 inchH₂O or less diameter in the two-phase separator device Volume Occupyvolume of less Sized based on an upstream than about 190 L condensingheat exchanger

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a schematic illustration of anexample condensate separator 500 according to some implementations. FIG.5B shows a perspective view of a cross-sectional schematic illustrationof the condensate separator 500 of FIG. 5A according to someimplementations. The condensate separator 500 may include a casing orhousing 510, where a rotatable vane assembly 550 is retained within thehousing 510. The rotatable vane assembly 550 includes a rotatable drum560 configured to rotate about an axis of rotation along an axialdirection of the condensate separator 500. A gas stream flows throughthe condensate separator 500 in the axial direction. The rotatable vaneassembly 550 further includes a plurality of vanes 552 arranged aboutthe axis of rotation. In some implementations, the rotatable vaneassembly 550 further includes a central hub 570 centered about the axisof rotation. The plurality of vanes 552 radially extend from a centralhub 570 and connect to the rotatable drum 560. Each vane 552 isconnected to the rotatable drum 560 at an outer edge of the vane 552 andconnected to the central hub 570 at an inner edge of the vane 552. Asshown in FIG. 5A, the plurality of vanes 552 may be at least five vaneseach having a straight or flat-facing geometry. As shown in FIG. 5B, thecentral hub 570 may enclose a motor 540 b for driving rotation of therotatable vane assembly 550.

The axial length of each of the plurality of vanes 552 may taper fromthe outer edge to the inner edge. A plurality of grooves 554 may bedefined on at least one of the major surfaces of each of the pluralityof vanes 552, where the plurality of grooves 554 extend radiallyoutwardly along a radial length of each vane 552. The plurality ofgrooves 554 may be arranged as rows of grooves 554 across the majorsurface of the vane 552. The plurality of grooves 554 may capturedroplets of condensate during rotation of the rotatable vane assembly550.

The plurality of vanes 552 connect to the rotatable drum 560 at an innerwall 564 of the rotatable drum 560, and an outer wall 562 of therotatable drum 560 is coupled to the housing 510. The rotatable drum 560may be configured to rotate about the housing 510 during operation,which may be stationary. The inner wall 564 may be sloped towards anupstream lip 566 of the rotatable drum 560. A channel 580, such as aring-shaped channel in the rotatable drum 560, is defined adjacent toand above the upstream lip 566 of rotatable drum 560. The condensateseparator 500 further includes a pitot pump 590, where the pitot pump590 is disposed above the upstream lip 566 and has an opening at leastpartially within the channel 580 of the rotatable drum 560. The pitotpump 590 may collect condensate accelerated radially outwardly into thechannel 580 from the vanes 552.

FIG. 5C shows a perspective view of a cross-sectional schematicillustration of the condensate separator 500 of FIG. 5A including amotor 540 c that is an external-rotor motor according to someimplementations. A motor 540 c, such as an external-rotor motor, isdisposed within the central hub 570. The motor 540 c may include anelectromagnet and a shaft for driving the rotatable vane assembly 550.The electromagnetic is external to a stator (e.g., housing) of thecondensate separator 500. Instead, the motor 540 c is enclosed in acentral hub 570. The shaft may be connected to a motor plate, which iscoupled to the rotatable drum 560. The motor plate may include a bracket546 through which gas flow passes through, where the bracket 546 servesto support the motor 545.

FIG. 5D shows a perspective view of a cross-sectional schematicillustration of the condensate separator 500 of FIG. 5A including amotor 540 d that is a torque-ring motor according to someimplementations. A motor 540 d, such as a torque-ring motor, may beintegrated into an outer diameter of the rotatable vane assembly 550with bearings 548 to support the rotatable vane assembly 550. No supportbracket is necessary for the condensate separator 500 with a torque-ringmotor, which can reduce pressure drop compared to a condensate separatorwith an external-rotor motor. The torque-ring motor may be able to applya large torque compared to an external-rotor motor. However, thetorque-ring motor may introduce more resistance compared to anexternal-rotor motor.

Method of Operation

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an example method of separating condensateor particulate from a gas stream according to some implementations. Theoperations of process 600 may be performed in different orders and/orwith different, fewer, or additional operations. The operations in theprocess 600 may be performed by a two-phase separator device asdiscussed herein. Examples of two-phase separator devices are describedand shown in FIGS. 2, 3A-3D, and 5A-5D, and examples of rotatable vaneassemblies in two-phase separator devices are described and shown inFIGS. 4A-4B.

At block 610 of the process 600, a two-phase mixture of a gas stream andcondensate or particulate is received through an inlet of a housing of atwo-phase separator device. In some implementations, the gas streamincludes air and the condensate or particulate includes droplets ofwater. The two-phase mixture may be delivered from a condensing heatexchanger located upstream of the two-phase separator device. A blowerlocated upstream of the two-phase separator device may push flow of thetwo-phase mixture towards the two-phase separator device. However, insome implementations, the two-phase separator device itself may functionas a blower for drawing the two-phase mixture through the two-phaseseparator device.

The inlet of the housing may receive the two-phase mixture including thegas stream and the condensate/particulate. An outlet of the housing maypermit the gas stream to exit the two-phase separator device, and thecondensate/particulate or at least a substantial portion of thecondensate/particulate is captured and collected by the two-phaseseparator device. A “substantial portion” of the condensate/particulatemay constitute separation efficiency equal to or greater than about 95%.The gas stream may pass through the housing of the two-phase separatordevice in a flow path along an axial direction of the two-phaseseparator device without being redirected in another flow path.

At block 620 of the process 600, a rotatable vane assembly of thetwo-phase separator device rotates, where the rotatable vane assemblyincludes a plurality of vanes. The housing of the two-phase separatordevice may surround or otherwise form an outer barrier around therotatable vane assembly. Accordingly, the rotatable vane assembly isretained within the housing. The rotatable vane assembly may be rotatingas the two-phase mixture passes through the two-phase separator device.In some implementations, the housing of the two-phase separator devicemay remain stationary during rotation. The two-phase separator deviceincludes a motor for driving rotation of the rotatable vane assembly. Insome implementations, rotation of the rotatable vane assembly may haverotational speeds between about 300 rpm and about 1500 rpm, or betweenabout 500 rpm and about 1200 rpm. In some implementations, the pluralityof vanes are shaped such that rotational momentum caused by rotation ofthe rotatable vane assembly transfers to the gas stream as axialmomentum. This effectively allows the two-phase separator device tofunction as a separator and a blower.

The rotatable vane assembly includes a rotatable drum configured torotate about an axis of rotation along the axial direction of thetwo-phase separator device. Each vane of the plurality of vanes includesa plurality of features (e.g., grooves) defined in one of the majorsurfaces of the vane. Each vane may have an inner edge connected to acentral hub and an outer edge connected to an inner wall of therotatable drum. In some implementations, the rotatable drum, theplurality of vanes, and the central hub may be integrated as a singleunified body. The inner wall of the rotatable drum may be sloped todirect the condensate or particulate towards a pickup device.

Rotating the rotatable vane assembly includes rotating the rotatabledrum and the plurality of vanes at a rotational velocity to cause thecaptured condensate or particulate to move radially outwardly along asloped inner wall of the rotatable drum in a direction against the flowpath of the gas stream. In some implementations, rotating the rotatablevane assembly includes rotating the rotatable drum and the plurality ofvanes at a rotational velocity to cause a negative pressure drop throughthe two-phase separator device.

At block 630 of the process 600, the gas stream is flowed through therotatable vane assembly in an axial direction while the rotatable vaneassembly is rotating. The condensate or particulate of the gas stream iscaptured and accelerated radially outwardly without redirecting a flowpath of the gas stream. When the two-phase mixture encounters therotatable vane assembly, condensate or particulate is separated out fromthe gas stream. The gas stream continues to flow along the flow path inthe axial direction without being redirected to another flow path,thereby providing a low pressure drop across the two-phase separatordevice. The condensate or particulate may be captured or entrained byone or more features defined in the plurality of vanes. The one or morefeatures may limit splashing and atomizing of the condensate orparticulate. Rotation of the plurality of vanes causes the capturedcondensate or particulate to accelerate radially outwardly and in anupstream direction by centrifugal force. The upstream direction may beagainst the flow path of the gas stream and/or a gravity vector. Thecondensate or particulate moves radially outwardly and in the upstreamdirection along the inner wall of the rotatable drum, where the innerwall is sloped. The captured condensate or particulate accumulates atthe upstream lip of the rotatable drum to form a ring of condensate orparticulate at the upstream lip. In some implementations, the ring ofcondensate or particulate may be accumulated in a channel above andadjacent to the upstream lip of the rotatable drum.

At block 640 of the process 600, the captured condensate or particulateis optionally collected by a pitot pump positioned adjacent to theupstream lip of the rotatable drum of the rotatable vane assembly.Particulate may be contained in liquid droplets for capture using aparticulate scrubber. The rotational velocity of the rotatable drumcauses the ring of condensate or particulate to impinge an opening ofthe pitot pump and drive collection of condensate or particulate. Thecollected condensate or particulate may be gathered or stored in a basinfor subsequent processing. Subsequent processing may include, forexample, water processing to convert contaminated condensate intopotable water. In some implementations, the pitot pump may be stationarywhile the rotatable vane assembly is rotating. In some implementations,the pitot pump may be positioned at least partially within the channelabove and adjacent to the upstream lip of the rotatable drum.

Although the foregoing disclosed systems, methods, apparatuses,processes, and compositions have been described in detail within thecontext of specific implementations for the purpose of promoting clarityand understanding, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart that there are many alternative ways of implementing foregoingimplementations which are within the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure. Accordingly, the implementations described herein are to beviewed as illustrative of the disclosed inventive concepts rather thanrestrictively, and are not to be used as an impermissible basis forunduly limiting the scope of any claims eventually directed to thesubject matter of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rotary separator comprising: a housing thatincludes an inlet configured to receive a two-phase mixture comprising agas stream and liquid or particulate, wherein the housing furtherincludes an outlet for discharging the gas stream; a rotatable vaneassembly within the housing and along a flow path of the two-phasemixture, the rotatable vane assembly comprising: a rotatable drumconfigured to rotate about an axis of rotation along an axial directionof the rotary separator, wherein a channel is formed along an inner wallof the rotatable drum; a central hub centered about the axis ofrotation; and a plurality of vanes arranged about the axis of rotationand extending radially outwardly to the rotatable drum, wherein theplurality of vanes are connected to the rotatable drum at an inner wallof the rotatable drum; and a pickup tube having an opening at leastpartially disposed within the channel, wherein the pickup tube isconfigured to collect the liquid or particulate that accumulates in thechannel of the rotatable drum.
 2. The rotary separator of claim 1,wherein the pickup tube comprises a pitot pump positioned adjacent to anupper lip of the rotatable drum.
 3. The rotary separator of claim 1,wherein the pickup tube is configured with a contact radius, tube shape,and flow area to facilitate capture of the liquid or particulate,wherein the liquid or particulate impinges the opening of the pickuptube at a rotational velocity that generates sufficient stagnationpressure to move the liquid or particulate through the pickup tube. 4.The rotary separator of claim 1, wherein the pickup tube is configuredto be stationary and the housing is configured to be stationary.
 5. Therotary separator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vanes areconfigured to capture the liquid or the particulate from the gas stream.6. The rotary separator of claim 5, wherein the plurality of vanes arefurther configured to cause the captured liquid or particulate toaccelerate radially outwardly towards the channel of the rotatable drum.7. The rotary separator of claim 6, wherein a plurality of non-planarfeatures are formed in at least a major surface of each of the pluralityof vanes, wherein the captured liquid or particulate acceleratesradially outwardly along the non-planar features to the channel formedalong the inner wall of the rotatable drum.
 8. The rotary separator ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of vanes are arranged as straight vanes.9. The rotary separator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vanes arearranged as helical vanes.
 10. The rotary separator of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of vanes, the central hub, and the rotatable drum of therotatable vane assembly are integrated together to form a single unifiedbody.
 11. A method of separating liquid or particulate from a gasstream, the method comprising: receiving a two-phase mixture of a gasstream and liquid or particulate through an inlet of a housing of atwo-phase separator device; rotating a rotatable vane assembly of thetwo-phase separator device, wherein the rotatable vane assemblycomprises a rotatable drum and a plurality of vanes connected to therotatable drum at an inner wall of the rotatable drum; and flowing thegas stream through the rotatable vane assembly in an axial directionwhile the rotatable vane assembly is rotating, wherein the liquid orparticulate of the gas stream is captured by and accelerated radiallyoutwardly along one or more of the plurality of vanes withoutredirecting a flow path of the gas stream.
 12. The method of claim 11,further comprising: collecting the captured liquid or particulate by apickup tube having an opening that is at least partially disposed withina channel that is formed along the inner wall of the rotatable drum. 13.The method of claim 12, wherein the pickup tube is stationary and thehousing is stationary when rotating the rotatable vane assembly of thetwo-phase separator device.
 14. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: discharging the gas stream at an outlet of the housing ofthe two-phase separator device.
 15. The method of claim 11, whereinrotating the rotatable vane assembly includes rotating the plurality ofvanes at a rotational velocity to cause the captured liquid orparticulate to move radially outwardly along each of the plurality ofvanes and along a sloped inner wall of the rotatable drum in a directionagainst the flow path of the gas stream.
 16. The method of claim 11,wherein a plurality of non-planar features are formed in at least onemajor surface of each of the plurality of vanes, the plurality offeatures configured to capture liquid or particulate from the gasstream.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein flowing the gas streamthrough the rotatable vane assembly comprises accelerating radiallyoutwardly the captured liquid or particulate along the non-planarfeatures to a channel that is formed along the inner wall of therotatable drum.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein rotating therotatable vane assembly comprises rotating the plurality of vanes tocause a rotational momentum of the rotatable vane assembly to transferto the gas stream as axial momentum.
 19. The method of claim 11, whereinflowing the gas stream through the rotatable vane assembly occurs inmicro-gravity conditions.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein rotatingthe rotatable vane assembly comprises rotating plurality of vanes andthe rotatable drum about an axis of rotation along the axial directionof the two-phase separator device, wherein the plurality of vanes arearranged about the axis of rotation and extend radially outwardly to therotatable drum.